The 2013 Inauguration: From My View

The 2013 Inauguration of President Barack Obama was not only a personal triumph for him as a leader, but it was also a culmination of the change and forward progress that has not only taken place in our country; it is also a positive reinforcement of the continued progress needed to help The United States of America reach its utmost potential. Four years ago when President Barack Obama was Inaugurated for the first time, many people were quick to say that America has come so far in all of its visual inequities; racial inequality, equal opportunities for every citizen of the country and the unseen division of people that are perceived to be different. The past four years of his first term not only reiterated that we had not overcome those inequities, but that we all as citizens of the United States of America play a major part in these inequities. President Barack Obama is ONE MAN with an incredible responsibility to lead this country. He has to address every issue in our country that stifles us from reaching the potential that we possess. Being one of the hundreds of thousands of people in attendance at the Inauguration, I was able to be a personal witness to a common trait that was prevalent among those in attendance; we are all alike in the fact that we are human. Everybody that came to the Inauguration was there because they felt a personal desire to be there. I met people that made the journey not only from various states across the United States of America, but I also met people that came from the Middle East (Jordan), Japan, London and the Sudan. These people all were filled with the hope for change and progress that President Barack Obama has inspired in all of us. The one thing that many people fail to realize is that although we all look different, come from different backgrounds and have different outlooks on life, we all live lives that encounter problems, trials, triumphs and obstacles. The common man/woman is more common than we want to believe. As I had conversations with people from all over the world, I began to see how much we all share the same wants and desires for a better life, a fair chance and love. No matter the background, nationality or religion, the good of life is what we all desire. January 21st 2013 was not only the Inauguration, but it was also the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr represented the Inauguration day, before this Inauguration became a reality to be seen by those of us in attendance. Nearly 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr led the “March On Washington” and gave his “I Have A Dream” speech on the other end of the National Mall from which President Barack Obama was inaugurated for a second term as president. The dream which Martin spoke of is realistic in the possibility of it happening; but the possibility of it happening is a reality that has only partially been seen and continuously neglected and pushed aside by many citizens of this country. People from other countries around the world die for the opportunities and privileges that we are born with in the United States of America. That is why the concept of racism and ideal inequality that controls this country is so confusing and disheartening to those that do not reside in the United States of America. January 21st 2013 was one day that proved how people can come together, realize that we are all more alike than we are different and make not only the United States of America a better place, but the world a better place. Change starts within, as does forward thinking and for change to take place individuals must start with themselves. Step outside of self and look at others so that you know how to improve self; it is during this process that growth occurs and change becomes a possibility. The air of possibility and belief in anything encompassed the Nation’s Capital not only on Inauguration, but also on the days prior to Inauguration and afterwards. It is imperative that this energy not filter away, but instead be used as a spearhead to make the good of life a realistic expectation not only for us individually, but also for anybody that we may encounter in this life.